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  • /Lot 342

Lot 342:Master Engraved Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Revolver

August 15th, 2025|Bedford, TX
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 342

Lot 342:Master Engraved Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Revolver

August 15th, 2025|Bedford, TX
Estimated Price$8,500 - $14,000
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Highly Attractive, Deluxe, Dual Relief Panel Scene Master Engraved Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum (Pre-Model 29) Double Action Revolver with Ivory Grips, Case, and Factory Letter

Originally manufactured c. 1957 to 1958, this revolver was subsequently beautifully embellished with near full coverage deluxe scroll engraving and dual relief engraved wild game scene busts by either Master Engraver Joesef Fugger (1927-1960), who learned the craft from the legendary Rudolph Kornbrath, or Master Engraver Arnold Griebel (1890-1970). The included factory letter with this revolver lists it with a 4 inch barrel, red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, target hammer and trigger, blue finish, and checkered goncalo alves grips when shipped to Edward Tryon in Philadelphia on 14 January 1958. The embellishment on the revolver features incredible engraving encompassing nearly all of the surfaces, in many ways emulating the style and spirit of the previous master Kornbrath (1877-1946), and, though unsigned, was undoubtedly cut by the hand of a masterful artisan. The writer believes this incredible masterpiece to be the work of Griebel, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1928 and was active in the Chicago area as a die engraver and freelance firearms engraver into the 1960s, and is often cited as one of the finest mid-20th century engravers. The engraving features a circular panel on each side of the frame with highly detailed busts of a bighorn sheep on the left and a bear on the right, with the bighorn sheep in particular showing incredible similarities to those executed by Kornbrath, such as the one on the Winchester Model 1885 rifle, Lot 3047 in our December 2022 Premier Firearms Auction, while the bust of the bear shares very distinct similarities with a bear engraved on a Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 revolver by Griebel, which was Lot 148 in our May 2024 Premier Firearms Auction. The remainder of the revolver shows beautifully executed floral scrollwork and bands, showing very similar vine-like scroll patterns used by Kornbrath and Fugger, but also extreme similarities to the scrollwork on a Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum engraved by Griebel, which was sold as Lot 1404 in our September 2020 Premier Firearms Auction. Both that revolver and the stunning revolver offered here employ stippled backgrounds behind the organically flowing scroll to create stunning contrast. A few areas, such as the thick ribbons on the barrel and delicate borders on the frame, show some non-engraved negative space to create more lovely contrast. This revolver is clearly a masterpiece, almost certainly cut by the hand of Master Engraver Arnold Griebel, with distinct inspiration from and homage paid to two other iconic Germanic-American engravers in Kornbrath and Fugger. The left of the barrel has the standard Smith & Wesson marking, while the right has the caliber marking, both in ribbons surrounded by scrollwork. The right side of the frame has the standard Smith & Wesson monogram trademark as well as the four-line address. The matching serial number is on the butt and the frame. It is fitted with a ramped blade front sight with white insert, an adjustable white outlined notch rear sight, and a pair of very attractive smooth ivory grips. Included with the revolver is an attractive black factory case, screwdriver, and cleaning rod.

ConditionExceptionally fine as incredibly embellished and master engraved, retains 99% plus of the blue finish with a very slight plum hue on the barrel and cylinder, only the slightest handling evidence overall, and exceptionally crisp engraving throughout. The grips are also exceptionally fine with a professionally repaired chip at the top of the left panel and otherwise only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some light handling/storage wear. A stunningly embellished Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver that was undoubtedly engraved by a master of their craft!
Details
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Model44 Magnum
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge44 Magnum
Barrel4 inch solid rib
Finishblue
Gripivory
Bore conditionThe bore is bright with very light streaking and crisp rifling.

Item LocationBedford, TX
Views377
Catalog page322
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